Improvement in terra-cotta grave-covers



C. C. W. MORGAN.

Terra Cotta Grave-Covers.

N0 132 851 I Patente d Nov. 5,1872.

4M. PHOTD'LITHOGRAP IC CQNXUJSBUHNES PROCESS.)

UNITED COLLINS W. MORGAN, OF HOLLY SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI.

IMPROVEMENT IN TERRA=COTTA GRAVE-COVERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. H32,5l, dated November5, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OoLLINs G. W. More- GAN, of Holly Springs, in thecounty of Marshall and State of Mississippi, have invented a new andImproved Cover for Graves, of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists of a terra-cotta cover for graves, being in theform of an inverted hollow cover adapted to inclose the mound, with abase resting on the ground around it, the base being a large projectingflange with a groove descending from the head to the foot, and forming awater-course for conducting the water-shed from the cover into a gutterat the foot to prevent it from washing the earth away around the base.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of my improved cover.Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a cross-section.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents the long hollow trough-shaped vessel or cover, which isadapted, when placed with the concave open side downward, to inolose themound of the grave, and rest with its base B on the ground upon the baseof the mound. G is a groove in the top of the base, which projectsoutward horizontally to receive the water-shed from the top to conductit into a gutter at D for conducting it away. The

head will preferably be a little higher and a little wider than theother portion, which diminishes toward the foot. A panel, E, or otherornamental figure, may beformed at thehead, within which names,monograms, or any other character may be formed in the claybefore thecover is burned, which will be done to harden it. This cover can be madein any ornamental style, or formed according to the form of the molds inwhich they will be made, and will constitute cheap, durable, and richcovers for graves. I also propose in some cases to use fire-clay incombination with the terracotta earth, and to glaze the outer surface inany color which I may prefer, to ornament them and render themimpervious to water. The glazing will be applied and burned on in thesame manner inwhich it is done in the stoneware of commerce.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. Aterra-cotta cover for graves, as a new article ofmanufacture.

2. I also claim the groove and gutter in the base, substantially asspecified.

COLLINS O. W. MORGAN. Witnesses:

E. W. UPSHAW, A. B. UPSHAW.

